Sennheiser HD598: Do they stink?

Imp

Lifer
Feb 8, 2000
18,828
184
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And by "stink", I mean smell bad.

I have a set of Sennheiser HD439s that I got about 6 months ago. They have been used once so far because I can't stand the off-gassing (new car, shower curtain smell) coming out of the velour pads -- I've tried washing with water, baking soda in a plastic bag, newspaper in a plastic bag. After spending the summer by a window, it seems like the smell is finally at an "acceptable" level, which means I'll finally get to use them at work like I planned.

Now I want a set for home-use The Sennheiser Momentum over-ears with real leather ear cushions was my first choice, but I tried them at the store, and my ears are "too big". Then I found the HD598, which is cheaper and supposedly better since they're open -- crappy noise isolation, but fine since I'd be at home.

However, like the HD439s, they have velour pads for ear cushions. Do I have to wait 6 months for them to air out and lose the foam/shower curtain smell again?

Thanks!
 

videogames101

Diamond Member
Aug 24, 2005
6,783
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I've had a pair of HD598s for about 2 years, and I never noticed a smell. I'm not sure I would have noticed though.

But I can attest that they sound magnificent.
 

Imp

Lifer
Feb 8, 2000
18,828
184
106
At double the price of the HD 439s, I'm hoping they use better materials.

There's one local store that stocks them. Might have to check them out, but I doubt they'll let me open the box to do a sniff test.